Powder Post Beetles & wood destroying bugs Etc. = Tim-Bor

I thought some of my Fellow Ljs might find this product usefull .A good friend & fellow Ljs Brian Havens turned me on to it and swears by it for alot of reasons … its also safe to use here’s the link to the site http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/timbor.htm

How does Timbor Insecticide work?
Tim-bor is a wood preservatives that stop and prevent rot and insect attack. They can be sprayed or brushed onto the surface of lumber, timbers, OSB or plywood.

The preservative becomes a part of the wood as it penetrates deep into the wood through a process called diffusion.

By diffusing deep into wood fibers, Tim-bor lasts for as long as wood is kept away from flowing water. That means that Timbor has controlling powers that last for a very long time.

Timbor Insecticide for Wood Destroying Insects:Timbor is an insecticide, fungicide and wood preservative for the protection and treatment of lumber against fungal decay and wood destroying insects. Timbor is a water soluble, inorganic borate salt with insecticidal and fungicidal properties. It is an effective treatment for wood to kill and prevent infestations of decay fungi including white rot, brown rot (i.e. Poria) and wet rots. Timbor is also effective for the prevention and control of wood destroying insects such as Timbor is a water soluble inorganic borage salts with insecticidal properties effective against wood-destoying organisms, including: Subterranean termites, Dry wood termites, Damp wood termites, Carpenter ants, PowderPost Beetles (False PowderPost Beetles, Furniture and Deathwatch Beetles, Old House Borers, Longhorn Beetles,and Ambrosia Beetles.) . Timbor does not treat mold or prevent mold from growing

Types of Applications:Timbor can be applied as a solution, foam or dust for wood treatment against wood destroying organisms and as a solution or dust for general insect control.

Tim-bor, applied as a solution or foam to wood, will penetrate into the wood to various depths dependent upon the moisture in the wood and the wood species. The active ingredient in Tim-bor does not break down, therefore as normal moisture changes occur in the wood, Tim-bor is always available to be drawn deeper into the wood over time, providing long lasting protection.

The mode of action for Timbor is that of a slow acting stomach poison to insects and a contact poison to decay fungi.

As Wood-destroying insects or their larvae feed on, tunnel in and/or digest wood, they accumulate the active ingredient of Timbor into their systems. General Insects and Timbor Insecticide

General insects such as cockroaches, ants, crickets, etc. will ingest Timbor through their normal preening habits after contacting deposits. The accumulation of the boron into their systems acts to poison the insect.

When used as a dust or as a crack and crevice solution, Timbor is not repellent to general pests.

Since Tim-bor is slow-acting, termites that have fed on treated wood can accumulate the active ingredient and still move among other individuals in the colony. The transfer of food from workers to nymphs, soldiers and reproductives will also transfer the ingested Tim-bor. Affected individuals also exhibit behavioral changes, becoming sluggish, stop feeding and become moribund. Others in the colony will avoid these individuals as well as areas where these individuals have died. The Timbor treated wood is not the first choice for feeding; therefore foraging termites avoid Tim-bor treated wood. In addition, the Timbor powder used as a dust in wall voids and injected into galleries is toxic to termites.

Timbor and Powderpost Beetle Larvae

Timbor treated wood also deters wood destroying BEETLE larvae. Eggs deposited on the surface of treated wood by beetles will have a reduced hatch rate. Larvae that may hatch from eggs will soon die after attempting to eat into Timbor treated wood. In infested wood, the larvae will die from ingesting Timbor treated wood as they tunnel toward the surface of the wood to pupate. Depending on the life cycle of the beetle, type of beetle, and seasonality of treatment, adult beetles may emerge, but will not re infest the wood.

Tim-bor and Carpenter Ants:CARPENTER ANTS do not consume wood but they can cause substantial and rapid damage by excavating cavities in wood for nesting.

Timbor treated wood is very unpalatable, and is not excavated by carpenter ants.

Treated wood with Tim-bor alone may not prevent or eliminate a carpenter ant infestation, since the ants can penetrate construction features and avoid chewing treated wood.

However, Timbor powder used as a dust in nesting sites in wood and in wall voids and around conduit and plumbing will control these pests.

The Timbor powder adheres to the carpenter ant’s body and is ingested as the insect attempts to clean the powder off.

Timbor Remedial and preventative treatmentsBasement or crawl spaceSpray Timbor solution on all bare wood accessible in the flooring and subfloor. This application will control an infestation even when certain parts of a gallery are not directly sprayed. In addition, steps must be taken to correct moisture problems (leaks, etc.) that may have led to and sustained the infestation.

AtticsSpray Timbor solutions to all accessible wood: rafters, trusses, top-plates, ceiling joists, plywood, particle board, OSB etc. Accessible areas with known infestations should be drilled and injected depending on the type of infestation. This has been a very effective technique in spot treating for control of drywood termites.

Exterior woodTimbor can be applied to bare siding, trim or logs. Applications can be made by spray or pressure injection techniques. Painted or sealed wood can be treated by pressure injection with this solution, or the sealing coat can be removed prior to application. Following treatment, the exterior wood should be sealed to protect Timbor from diffusing out. Wood should be completely dry (at least 48 hours) before a sealing coat (paint, varnish or waterproofing seal) can be applied. When properly applied, Tim-bor will not interfere with application of a deck treatment.

Tim-bor can be used to treat wood decksPrepare the deck by removing any dirt, debris or sealant that will interfere with the application and absorption of Timbor. After the deck has dried (dry to the touch, no standing puddles), 2 applications of 10% or 1 application of 15% Timbor can then be applied to the wood. Protect any surrounding plants and ornamentals from accidental contact with the solution. Following treatment, the deck should be sealed with a water-repellent preservative product to protect the Tim-bor from diffusing out. Wood should be allowed to dry before a sealing coat can be applied

Tim-bor is the solution for Long-Term ProtectionTimbor is a small investment for your home and the key in preventing fungus and termite infestations with one or several applications.

Treat your home to Timbor, and you’ll be treating yourself to a longer-lasting cure for insect and decay problems.

Directions for use: Timbor

Mixing instructions:

Always estimate the amount of Timbor solution needed. Approximately 1 gallon of solution will be needed to treat 200 square feet of wood surface area. Timbor can be applied as a 10% solution or 15% solution.

Timbor Solution :

Using a slightly oversized container/bucket, fill with water to about 80% of the final required volume.

To prepare a 10% Timbor solution, add 1 lb. Timbor powder per gallon of required solution, then add the remainder of the water, agitating until the Timbor has dissolved. To prepare a 15% solution, add 1.5 lbs. of Timbor powder per gallon of required solution (or 3 lbs. for 2 gallons), then add the remainder of the water and mix as previously. (Note: 15% solutions should be used immediately and not stored.)

Wood destroying organism control with or Timbor:

Wood application procedures

1) Spray Tim-bor:

The Timbor solutions or foam should be applied evenly to wood using a medium to coarse spray at low pressures (20-30 psi). Application rate is 1 gallon per 200 square feet of wood surface area. Ensure that all accessible wood surfaces are thoroughly wetted. Wood will absorb Timbor solution at different rates. Surfaces that absorb solution rapidly can be re sprayed immediately.

Foam Prepare a 15% solution as listed above and add foaming agent. Typically 1-2 ounces of a foaming agent added to the 15% solution will produce a dry foam with the desired expansion ratios of approximately 20 to 1 (approx. 20 gallons of foam per 1 gallon of aqueous solution). Foam should be of a consistency that adheres to wood surfaces, so that run-off is minimized. Since each foam machine can produce different foams, refer to the equipment manufacturer manuals and the foaming agent’s label for specific instructions.

Trouble shooting / hints for Timbor mixing:

Warm water will dissolve more readily.

While 10% solutions are stable true solutions, the 15% solutions are super-saturated and may form precipitates if allowed to stand or be stored overnight, or lose water via evaporation.

You may use a hand paddle or mechanical mixer for mixing the Timbor solution

Over sided containers help prevent careless spills and minimize splashing during mixing .

Always add the Timbor powder to water; adding water to dry powder is not recommended. This tends to form clumps of material that dissolve slowly.

Trouble shooting / hints

The best results and penetration of Tim-bor will be obtained with temperatures above 55 degrees F. Wood does not take up water as readily at lower temperatures.

Occasionally, solutions may drip or run onto glass surfaces such as windows and doors. After drying, a white residue may appear from the Tim-bor.

This can easily be removed with warm water and a mild soap solution. DO NOT use window cleaners to clean windows with Timbor residues.

Heartwood is more difficult to penetrate with water-based solutions as compared to sapwood. Logs may have knots in them that consist predominantly of heartwood. A white residue may remain in these areas after application. This can be removed with a damp cloth.

Timbor will not corrode metals normally used in construction. This includes ferrous metals, galvanized metals, screws and nails. Timbor will not affect electrical wiring either, but it is recommended that applications to wood be performed before wiring is in place. Treated wood can be machined, shaped and glued.

Pressure injection of Tim-bor

Solution and foams can be injected into infested wood. Drill into the infested wood and inject until the liquid or foam runs out of openings, damaged areas or kick-holes in the wood. This procedure is not an alternative to spraying, rather should be an addition to spraying when structural timbers are greater than 4 inches thick, and for selected wood destroying organisms .

Timbor solution can also be injected into un infested wood including wood adjacent to the infested areas. This procedure should also be used for painted or sealed wood. The sprayer or application equipment should be able to maintain 60-75 pounds of pressure. Only liquid solution will penetrate un infested wood. Refer to the directions below for specifics on drilling and placement of drill holes.

a) Injection holes (typically 7/64 or 1/8 inch in diameter) should be drilled in the area of suspected infestation. The holes should be drilled in a diamond pattern with the long axis along the grain and the holes spaces every 12 to 16 inches. Holes should be spaced approximately 4 to 6 inches across the grain. (See Figure 1). When possible, the wood should be treated one diamond length pattern beyond the immediate area of visible infestation.

b) Drill the holes through the widest dimension available. Drill approximately 3/4 the width of the beam. If the widest surface is not accessible, holes can be drilled in the narrower surface as in Figure 2. Drill holes approximately 8-10 inches apart.

c) Press and hold the injection tip firmly into each hole and inject solution until runoff is observed from other holes, galleries, kick-holes, etc. When injecting solid wood, maintain the injection pressure for 15 to 60 seconds at each hole. Longer times give better penetration.

d) Release the trigger, wait briefly and withdraw the injection tip. Excess solution can be absorbed with paper towels and collected for disposal (ordinary trash).

Trouble shooting / hints:

Injection tips should be brass or other metal and fit snugly into the drilled hole to prevent dripping or spray back.

Use a short injection tip (approximately 1 inch). This will allow the solution to flow into the drilled wood.

If drilling overhead, be prepared for solution to exit galleries; tarp or cover surfaces below.

Diagram and product label from:U.S. Borax

What is Tim-bor?Timbor is wood preservative that works as an insecticide and fungicide. What is the active ingredient in Timbor?The active ingredient in is disodium octaborate tetrahydrate a natural borate compound.

What is a borate compound?Borate compounds are derived from mineral deposits that contain the element Boron. These compounds are use in the production of many products including ceramics, glass and medicines and also work extremely well as insecticides and fungicides.

Why is Tim-bor considered insecticides and fungicides?Insects are exposed to the active ingredient by eating treated wood or by ingestion while grooming. Borates are a contact toxicant to fungi. The borates prevent metabolism of food by insects and fungi causing death.

How is Timbor applied?Timbor is applied the surface of bare wood as a liquid. It can also be applied as a dust into void attic and wall void areas for labeled insect control.

How does Tim-bor work as a wood preservative?When Tim-bor is applied as a liquid to the surface of bare wood it diffuses into the wood to make the wood itself toxic to wood destroying organisms such as wood decay fungus or dry wood termites.

Is Timbor concentrate a liquid?Timbor comes in a powder form that is used as a powder or mixed with water to form a liquid solution. To create a 10% solution mix one pound of Tim-bor to one gallon of water. This solution must be applied twice to a bare wood surface. To create a 15% solution mix 1.5 pounds of Tim-bor to one gallon of water. This solution can be applied only once to the wood surface.

Is Tim-bor labeled to treat wood decay fungus?Tim-bor is labeled for the control and prevention of wood decay fungi including white rot, brown rot, poria and wet rots.

Is Tim-bor labeled for the control of carpenter ants?Tim-bor is labeled for the control and prevention of carpenter ants by applying or Tim-bor dust into active ant galleries and into areas where ants may enter the structure.

What wood destroying organisms is Tim-bor labeled to control?Tim-bor is labeled for the control and prevention of drywood termites, wood destroying beetles, wood decay fungi, carpenter ants and termites.

Can Timbor be foamed?Timbor can be foamed using equipment designed for foaming applications. Foaming Timbor requires a 15% solution in conjunction with a foaming agent. A dry foam is recommended for best results.

Does Tim-bor effect ornamental plants?Yes, over spray of Timbor on plants or spills near the plant roots can kill or retard plant growth.

Glad I found this post. Just had a maple tree cut down (died in June this year). It has all sorts of stuff going on including termites. It had woodpecker condominiums at the top levels. I stored the logs on the other end of the property, so maybe the termites will go away without their mudda. Still, I think I’ll try this (or maybe Bora Care?). Not sure.

It’s the first time I’ve tried keeping a tree (lost a big oak before I got into wood). I’m going to try some chain-saw milling on it. Sure hope I haven’t gotten over my head.

When do you think is the best time to start up the chain saw? This year? Next year? Later? Sooner? I did apply Anchor Seal on the ends if that helps.

Since I’m asking, I suppose some dimensions might help? The five logs are between 50-55” long and mostly about 15” in diameter. The bark was falling off, so I went ahead and peeled it all off. That’s when I found all the termites among other bugs.